SOAR The Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees HD, 1280x720

soar 11-3 reunion reminder for sept 17th, 2016

reminder:  all canco folks, union folk and family are invited.    

Where: Kircher Park, Pavilion # 2, Eureka, MO. at Highways 109 & I-44

What to bring: Your drinks, potluck item (homemade, or store bought to share), bring lawn chairs, & games (Horseshoes, washers, playing cards, Frisbee golf course available, etc.

Potluck at 12:00 noon, Sandwiches will be provided

$1, 50-50 donation drawing at 2:00 P.M. (3 winners)

jefferson award for eastside soar

I just received the letter (attached) from Gary Gaines that our SOAR Chapter will be receiving the Jefferson Foundation Award from the USW Executive Board in June.

(Looks like Jeff might have to buy a new suit)

 

Info on the Jefferson Award is at the link below.   

 

http://www.usw.org/members/the-jefferson-awards/about-the-jefferson-awards

 

Each and every SOAR member should be very proud of the work that our SOAR Chapter does in support of the local community agencies in need, our scholarship program and the great participation and support we receive at our monthly meetings.

 

Thanks to Gary Gaines and Charlie Averill for submitting our SOAR Chapter for this prestigious award.   

 DB-

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congrats to well deserved group

mineworker action april 29th, 2013

On Monday, April 29, 2013 the UMWA will hold another in a series of rallies that have been held in support of retirees of Patriot Coal (a spin-off from Peabody Coal). Peabody/Patriot is seeking the elimination of miners’ retiree benefits in bankruptcy court. The Rally will begin at Keiner Plaza (7th and Market Street) in downtown St. Louis starting at 10 am. Leo Gerard and Jim Robinson urge USW members and retirees to support these efforts of UMWA. Members of SOAR and USW members have participated in previous rallies. The April 29 event will be the largest rally to date. Please make plans to attend this rally and urge your members, retirees, and Union supporters who you know to do the same. A bus provided by Sub District 2 will transport those who want a ride to the rally. If you want to take the bus, plan on being at the parking lot of the Labor Temple at 20th and State Street in Granite City, Illinois at 8:00 am. The bus will leave at 8:30 am. It is expected that the bus will return to the Labor Temple by noon that same day. You can also take the Metro Link to the 8th and Pine Station. Keiner Plaza is 1 block south and 1 block east of the exit from the 8th and Pine Metro Link Station. Make plans now to be a participant in this important St. Louis Labor Solidarity event!

soar action in st. louis, standing with mineworkers

many from granite city and I were with mineworkers downtown today

photo of soar during 2nd peabody action in st. louis

note: there is another action next tuesday in st. louis. granite city folks putting together bus for event. more info will be forthcoming

Occupy movement will grow in 2012 1/2

interesting take from Iran on American economy

I believe Occupy folks will grow in number this year as well. In fact, trying to make sure that happens in St. Louis as a matter of fact.

Soar 11-3 (retired steelworkers in St. Louis) has endorsed occupy St. Louis some months ago.

Connie Entrekin: We Can Make a Difference

Charlie Averill: We Can Make a Difference: "by Connie Entrekin, President, Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Recent events have demonstrated that an informed..."

click link

Reposting of Soar 11-3 local bylaws:
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local soar bylaws We also will submit to the international the following local bylaws for the Soar group: Note, these are not valid until ratified by International.
Bylaws were oked by International (2-07 addition)

proposed bylaws for our group Soar 11-3, St. Louis chapter of Soar.
NOTE; NO LONGER PROPOSED. INTERNATIONAL HAS OKED AS WRITTEN; JUNE, 2006
Preamble
We believe that the welfare of our members is paramount and our organization is dedicated to the advancement of their intrests and the working man's intrests.
Our aim will be to promote and protect the interest of the membership, to elevate the moral, intellectual, political and social conditions of all retired men and women, to assist each other in sickness and distress. Although retired, social and political events have endangered our rights and benefits as retired working persons and our families.
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ARTICLE ONE - Terms of Office
a) terms and conditions of office are specified in SOAR manual.

b) Eligibility for Elected Office
Section 1. All other candidates standing for elected office of the Local Union must be members and have been in continuous good standing for ninety (90) days prior to accepting nomination. The requirement for continuous good standing will be effective . This includes members of SOAR 11-3, PACE and Alliance for Retired Americans whom are in the SOAR 11-3 group.
Section 2. No member may run for or hold more than one elected office simultaneously, with the exception of chairs of standing committees. The President shall be member of all committees.
Section 3. For usage "proof" of good standing, sign in sheets provided at the meetings shall constitute proof as well as paid membership in SOAR 11-3.
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Article TWO- Recall
Section 1. A SOAR 11-3 officer, against whom charges have been filed, in accordance with the procedure established by of the International Constitution, may be suspended from office pending the outcome of the trial, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at a membership meeting
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Article Three - General
Section 1. All Local Union officers (Soar 11-3), committees and other members handling funds or other property of the Union shall at the completion of their duties, turn over all papers, documents, funds, and/or other union property to the properly constituted Local Union officers.
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Article Four- Death of member/Next of Kin of member
Section 1. A bible will be provided to the surviror of the next of kin in the event of the death of a current SOAR 11-3 member or their immediate next of kin residing with the member.
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Article Five - Emergency Fund
Section one a) A minimum of $5.00 ($5) per member shall be kept in the local emergency fund.
b) Monies paid out of the emergency fund shall be paid only to or on behalf of SOAR members
c) A Notice of Motion shall be posted for 7 (seven) days in all units before a vote on any withdrawal of more than $ 300 ( 300 dollars) from the emergency fund.
d) the president can authorize expenditures of less than $100 (100) dollars for expenses one his own authority for SOAR meeting expenditures and emergencies upon consulation with the executive board. Between membership meetings or membership votes, the Executive Board shall be the highest authority of the Local and shall exercise general administrative authority and shall be empowered to act on behalf of the membership to the extent urgent business requires prompt and decisive action, subject to subsequent membership approval, but the Executive Board may not take action affecting the vital interests of the Local Union without prior membership approval
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Article Six - By-Law Changes
Section 1 a) Local union by-laws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at any meeting providing that Notice of Motion giving details of the amendment has been posted at least sixty (60) days prior to the vote, admendment changes can be proposed at a local level in writing to the president of the local chapter of SOAR for submission at next meeting (s). Posting shall be done on Soar website in event of such submission.
b) All provisions of all chartered local union by-laws not contained herein shall be of no effect until approved in writing by the national executive board nor shall they conflict with federal, state or local laws.
c) The national constitution shall take precedence over these by-laws.

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Article Seven- Additional duty of Treasurer
Section 1) The treasurer will, upon request of the individual Soar 11-3 member or spouse submit due payments to the international. Appropriate records shall be kept of such transaction.
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with elections next month and with our accepting nominations at the breakfasts across the state, keep in mind that only members in good standing can run for office and only "due" paying members in good standing can vote. If you owe, please submit to SOAR payment.

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Note: We have political action comittee, but the insurance committee is currently in limbo. We have "Reunion committee" currently working on reunion of folks from the varied plants

Soar standard bylaws--2010

Below is the current bylaws for Soar "locals". At Soar 11-3 we have an additional "local bylaw" in addition to these. Those local bylaws are posted elsewhere in the blogs we maintain:
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SOAR CHAPTER - STANDARD BYLAWS

Amended and approved by the United Steelworkers Executive Board, December 18, 2006

Article 1. Name

This organization shall be known as: SOAR - Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, Chapter _________________.

Article 2. Purpose

1. The organization shall concern itself with and deal with the social, economic, educational, legislative, and political developments and concerns of its members and spouses, the United Steelworkers and the labor movement. In addition, the purpose of this organization is to better the communities in which said members live, to advance in every way the policies of the United Steelworkers, and to engage in political and legislative action directed at bettering our nations and safeguarding and enhancing the economic security and general wellbeing of all its members and older and retired persons in general through educational, legislative, political, civic, social, community and other activities.

2. To unite in this Chapter, regardless of race, creed, color, sex or national origin, all retired working men and women who are members of the Chapter and who are within the jurisdiction of this Chapter.

Article 3. Membership

1. Membership in the Chapter shall be open to any and all persons who meet the requirements for obtaining a retiree’s honorary membership card from the United Steelworkers and who live in the geographic area covered by the Chapter. In order to obtain a retiree's card, an individual must retire from an enterprise, public or private, or any other place within the jurisdiction of the Union, including service as an employee of the Union, and at that time be a member in good standing of the United Steelworkers. An individual who retires from a supervisory position with an employer represented by the United Steelworkers may be a member of the Chapter if that individual had been a member in good standing in the bargaining unit at any time prior to accepting a supervisory position.

2. The spouse or widow/widower of said retiree shall be eligible for full membership in the Chapter.

3. Any member who for any cause shall cease to be a member of the Chapter shall forfeit all rights and interests in the Chapter.

4. Membership can be transferred from this Chapter to another by obtaining a transfer






certificate from the International SOAR.

Article 4. Dues

1. Dues shall be as set by the Executive Board of SOAR as provided in the SOAR Bylaws and may be supplemented by dues assessed by the Chapter after notice to, and a vote by, the members of the Chapter.

2. Financial records of the Chapter shall be available for periodic review by Chapter Trustees and International SOAR.

Article 5. Executive Board

1. The government of the Chapter shall be vested in its Executive Board.

2. The Chapter Executive Board shall be composed of up to six (6) officers: President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and three (3) Trustees. The Chapter may decide to add an office of Financial Secretary and/or to separate the office of Secretary and Treasurer.

3. The Chapter Executive Board may adopt rules and regulations for the proper conduct of the Chapter, provided such rules are consistent with these By-Laws.

4. The Chapter Executive Board shall provide periodic reports on the activities, condition and progress of the Chapter.

Article 6. Elective Offices

1. Elective offices of this chapter shall consist of the following: President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and three (3) Trustees and if provided for, Financial Secretary.

2. Nomination of officers shall be held at a membership meeting during the month of
October 1992 and nomination and election of officers will be held in November of 1992 and
every four years thereafter. Each term of office shall be for a period of four (4) years
commencing with the month of November, 1992. No member shall hold more than one (1) office in a Chapter however Chapter officers shall be eligible to serve on the SOAR Executive Board or as a District SOAR Coordinator.

3. Members in good standing as of the date of the nominations and election of officers shall be eligible to hold Chapter office.

4. Vacancies caused by ineligibility, death, or resignation shall be filled by appointment
by the remaining members of the Chapter Executive Board until the next election provided that if
the vacancy is in the office of the President, the Vice President shall serve as President for the





remainder of the term. In the performance of their duties all officers shall conform to the policies and directives of the International Executive Board of the United Steelworkers and the International Executive Board of SOAR.

Article 7. Duties of officers

1. The President of the Chapter shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and the
Chapter Executive Board. The President shall perform all duties incidental to the office and
advise the Chapter Executive Board on such actions as may be deemed likely to increase the
usefulness and effectiveness of the Chapter. The President shall be ex officio member of all
committees.

2. The Vice President of the Chapter shall assist the President in the performance of the President's duties and shall work under the direction of the President.

3. (a) The Secretary-Treasurer shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the
President or the Chapter Executive Board including but not limited to, providing periodic reports
to the Executive Board of International SOAR on the financial and operational status of the
Chapter.
b) The Secretary-Treasurer shall receive all monies due to the Chapter from the International SOAR, which shall provide a receipt.
(c) The Secretary-Treasurer shall make a detailed financial report at least once a month at a Chapter meeting, covering the receipts and expenditures of all funds of the Chapter.
(d) The Secretary-Treasurer shall examine all bills presented for payment and all claims and determine that they are satisfactorily established.
(e) The Secretary-Treasurer shall record the proceedings of the Chapter in a book kept for that purpose, read all papers, and perform such other duties as required by the International SOAR and as the Chapter may assign.
(f) The Secretary-Treasurer shall receive all communications and issue all notices and correspondence pertaining to the function of the Chapter and present same to the Executive Board of the Chapter for action.
(g) The Secretary-Treasurer must be present and record minutes of all regular meetings or special meetings called for the entire membership by the President of the Chapter and render copy of same to the President within reasonable time after such meeting.

4. (a) The Trustees shall be in charge of all property of the Chapter, subject to the
direction of the Chapter membership, and perform such other duties as the Chapter may assign.
(b) The Trustees shall audit the Chapter books and records of account quarterly. They shall make an audit report to the membership for each quarter of the calendar year at the meeting following the completion of their audit.
(c) The Trustees shall be solely responsible for the membership attendance book at regular and special meetings. They shall sign the book, noting the number of members attending the meetings.






(d) The Trustees shall assist the Chairman in preserving order at meetings.






Article 8. Committees

l. Each Chapter shall have a Pension and Insurance Committee, and a Legislative and Political Action Committee with at least the following responsibilities:
(a) The Pension and Insurance Committee
(i) It shall generally be comprised of not less than three (3) members appointed by the President and approved by the membership. The members of the committee shall select a Chairman of this committee. A majority of members of this committee present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum.
(ii) The committee shall meet at least monthly and at the request of the Executive Board, the President, or the membership to deal with any matters relating to the pension and insurance programs and problems of the members.
(b) The Legislative and Political Action Committee
(i) The Committee shall consist of the three (3) members appointed by the President and approved by the membership.
(ii) The Committee shall recommend for endorsement to the membership, candidates for city, county, state or national office.
(iii) Under no circumstances shall the Committee endorse a candidate for public office without the approval of the membership.
(iv) A candidate for public office shall be permitted to address the membership at a regular meeting, if it has been requested in writing, requested by the Legislative and Political Action Committee, or approved by the membership at a regular monthly meeting.

2. Other Committees

Each Chapter may have such other Committees as it deems necessary such as a Health and Welfare Committee, and a Civil Rights Committee appointed by the President and approved by the membership.

Article 9. Compensation for services

1. Salaries and/or expenses for officers, committee members and employees of the Chapter shall be as follows:

In no event shall the reimbursement for expenses be in excess of the standards used by the International SOAR.







2. All tax requirements in connection with the above payments shall be complied with.

Article 10. Meetings

1. The Chapter shall hold a general membership meeting at least once every month unless the Chapter Executive Board with approval of the membership had adopted another schedule. Regular meetings shall be held on the ___________________of each month unless holidays or other matters of vital importance to the Chapter would necessitate a change in the meeting date. Regular monthly meetings shall be called to order at ___________________.

2. The meeting place will be at ________________________________________.

3. The President of the Chapter shall have the right to call the Executive Board for emergency meetings on instant notice.

4. ''Roberts Rules of Order" for parliamentary procedure shall govern the conduct of all meetings.

Article 11. Amendments

1. Proposed amendments to the By-Laws must be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer, in writing. The Secretary-Treasurer shall submit such proposals to the membership for approval. The proposals must be presented at two (2) consecutive Chapter regular meetings and passed by a two-thirds majority vote of the membership at the next regular meeting.

2. Amendments to these By-laws by Chapters must not conflict with such standard By-
laws and must be submitted to the International SOAR for approval before being placed in effect.

Article 12. Agenda

1. Call meeting to order

2. Roll call of officers by the Recording Secretary

3. Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting

4. Reading of Communications

5. Report of Officers

6. Report on SOAR activities






7. Report of Special Committees

8. Reports of Standing (or Permanent) Committees

9. Unfinished Business

10. New Business

11. Good and Welfare

12. Adjournment

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Note: I am the vice president and chair of the political action committee. We will be having another meeting shortly (after some of the politics shake out in Missouri).

So far, we have endorsed Carnahan for Senate. Blunt is a bozo and has so seldomly voted for something we believe it is a media event when he does.

We need members of the "insurance committee". Ralph cannot do all the work himself
Yes, we do have the problem of "multiple" insurances and since some of the insurance companies refuse to send us data; our members are denied benefits.

Soar jobs petition

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Folks might wish to print this, sign and pass around to more folks. We shall do one at the next Soar meeting:

ARA townhall in Hazelwood (St. Louis) today

Today several members of our Soar group attended the Alliance for Retired American's townhall in North county. Several politicans and spokesfolks were there including Representative William Lacy Clay. There was a good sampling of the area's retiree community in attendance, very good sampling.

Excellent meeting and a lot of information was passed to the group. Teabaggers? Missing in Action for they were not there; inside or out.

Yellow?

Union folks have low tolerence for fools disrupting events; very low. Tea Party disruptions happen at "soft targets" and by that I mean events that there is high visibility and little real danger of confrontation. Cowards, perhaps; but Tea bag folks are not overly stupid. Sad, so many of the teabaggers are led by what appears to be folks with ties to insurance companies and other healthcare businesses.

Today was a victory for rational folks seeking information and dialogue with their representatives. ARA deserves the thanks of all retirees and most certainly has the thanks of Soar 11-3.

New Demonstration Eastside

On Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 at 11 AM there will be a worker's demonstration on the Eastside. Part of the demonstration will be about those "Indian pipe" imports reported earlier on the news and here. Some will be about the "closed down" industries in the area: steel and autos.

We shall go over early details next Soar meeting. Ralph and I have made plans to attend and hope others will also join in. Further details will be posted here and other places.

This is excellent opportunity to stand up and be counted. Believe it or not, most politicans are not like Mr. Bush and do keep an eye on the media and check poll numbers. Showing up at a demonstration is a lot better than writing a letter or sending e-mail for political matters. Hell, if nothing else drive by and honk horns in support.

If you cannot attend, we need folks to check news outlets during the demonstration and after. Media committee does fine work, but they like everyone else in labor cannot do all it it alone.

Group in the past has done fine work following stories.